Search - Ahmad Jamal :: Ahmad's Blues

One of the best Jazz Pianists of all time

Tad Ulrich | Los Angeles, CA USA | 10/11/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't think I risk going off the deep end here by declaring that Ahmad Jamal is simply one of the finest jazz pianists of all time. This CD gives ample proof to that claim. It is a compilation of live recordings made in Chicago in 1958. And the crowd seems most appreciative of the trio's efforts. Jamal's intelligent use of space and awesome technique give bassist Israel Crosby and drummer Vernel Fournier ample opportunity to display their tremendous talents. Ahmad's use of tension and release marked with his sense of humor makes Jamal's music fascinating. And make no mistake, Jamal swings like mad. Ample proof of this can be heard in the final selection, "Let's Fall in Love." I've listened to this CD many times over. If you've never heard the amazing and enormously talented Mr. Jamal, there's no better place to start than right here."

Distinctive and compelling

Micah Newman | Fort Worth, TX United States | 08/26/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ahmad Jamal is a seminal name in the hallowed annals of jazz piano artistry, and being a big fan of the jazz piano trio, I knew I had to check some out. I read in Fred Hersch's liner notes to Bill Evans' _Trio '64_ that his other favorite trio is this particular one, with bassist Israel Crosby and drummer Vernel Fournier, so this seemed like a must-hear. That it is.You can see why Miles Davis dug this guy. Jamal just digs into the *groove* of a tune, playing with it, vamping on it, leaving space for his bandmates to inhabit it, and apparently all the while having a rollicking good time. The playing of this trio throughout this 1958 live performance is absolutely distinctive, and that's a bit part of what makes it such compelling listening. There's the signature tune "Ahmad's Blues", which even if you haven't heard it before, you'll think you have. It's that basic, and yet Jamal didn't pull it off some "standards" list. Then there's the standard-of-standards "Autumn Leaves", but what this trio does with it is amazingly creative. You just have to hear it. And who else would start out "Stompin' at the Savoy" with a quote of "La Marsellaise"?? And these are just examples. It's all that good. Don't miss out."

No collection is complete without it

Peter J. Noteboom | Austin, TX United States | 04/04/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a must have for Ahmad Jamal fans, and all Jazz fans for that matter. Throughout his long and storied career, Ahmad has demonstrated both technical virtuosity and amazing style & creativity. This early live recording is no exception. The opening, and title, track is so spot on that it practically defines cool jazz. It stacks right up there with Davis' Kind of Blue as one of the best recordings of the period."